Breaking: Anti-Gay Former Virginia Governor Indicted By Feds
var addthis_config = {“data_track_addressbar”:true};Bob McDonnell, who up until a few days ago was the (very anti-gay, very anti-women) Republican governor of Virginia, and his wife, were just indicted by the federal government after a long, drawn-out scandal.
The Washington Post reports that “McDonnell and his wife Maureen were charged in federal court Tuesday with illegally accepting gifts, luxury vacations and large loans from a wealthy Richmond-area businessman who sought special treatment from state government.”
The Post adds the feds “alleged McDonnell and his wife received gifts from Williams again and again, lodging near constant requests for money, clothes, trips, golf accessories and private plane rides.”
McDonnell advocated for a state ban on same-sex marriage, and ushered in an administration openly hostile to its own LGBT citizens.
In 2012, for example, Gov. McDonnell said gay parents threaten the ability of their children to achieve the American dream, and only straight parents can give children the right start in life.
The year prior, McDonnell announced he wanted to block adoptions by same-sex couples.
And just days after the newly-elected Governor Bob McDonnell took office, he signed a new state policy that specifically removed LGBTQ protections from state workers.
McDonnell, who graduated from Jerry Falwell’s Regent University, wrote a 1989 thesis which proffered that the government should make policy favorable to married couples over “cohabitators, homosexuals or fornicators.”
MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow — who, coincidentally, last night wondered when the feds would indict McDonnell — nicknamed him “Governor Ultrasound” after he supported a bill that would mandate a pregnant woman wanting an abortion would be required to undergo an ultrasound using a transvaginal probe.
Image by Gage Skidmore via Flickr
Previously:
Governor McAuliffe Signs Executive Order #1 – LGBT Non-Discrimination
‘Pro-Life’ Governor Determined To End Abortion Enables Gun-Running Killers
Gov. McDonnell, Children Of LGBT Couples Are Thriving — And We Can Prove It
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.